PROHIBITION RALLY

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 143, 15 December 1919, Page 13

PROHIBITION RALLY

BIG TOWN HALL MEETING

A Prohibition .rally was held in the Town Hall on Sunday night, when the hall was filled in all parts. The proceedings were marked by considerable enthusiasm. Mr. W. I). Hunt presided, and, in introducing the speakers, said the'poJl to be taken on Wednesday differed in important respects from that taken in April. A single issue to be carried had to secure more than half the votes polled, and if no issue was carried the position was to remain as at present. This was a very good arrangement for Continuance, but imposed a most unfair handicap upon the other issues.. Mr. Hunt explained the method of giving compensation should; State control be carried, and pointed out that the limitation provided for in the April poll no longer existed. Personally he felt sure that this compensation would amount to not less than £15,000,000 or £20,000,500. He referred to the Liquor, Trade's argument in April • "Why pay £4,500,01)0 in compensation when you can get Prohibition for nothing by voting Continuance now and then voting Prohibition at .the next poll?" and urged the people to I>ake the Trade's advice by voting straight-out Prohibition on Wednesday.

The Rev. John Dawson spoke of the proclamation enforcing Prohibition in Samoa, and said it had been issued largely in compliance with the call of the Peace Treaty upon nations which took mandates over weaker nations to protect those nations from arms and alcohol. Continuing, he referred to America, Hawaii, and Canada, where his own observation had proved to him that Prohibition wa« a practical reform effective in operation and offering the only real means of overcoming the evils of the Liquor Trade. Many fake stories were being told bya the supporters of the Trade, but the real facts could not be disproved and the immense benefits could not be put in the background. Revenue came in just the same from other sources. He denied 'the published statement purporting to come from the pen of Senator Bradbury, who was alleged to have said that in Toronto 1,200,000 dollars had been collected in fines for Breaches of the Prohibition law. As a matter of fact the fines imposed in the year ended last April amounted to- 142,00 C dollars,' and if this rate had been maintained for the three years during which the Prohibition law had operated the total would be only "426,000 dollars. Then the Hon. John Tupper, of British Columbia, had cabled in reply'to other statements: "Provincial police reduced 25 per cent, by virtue of Prohibition. Crime greatly reduced; many gaols closed." He dealt at length with the position in America.

The Rev, R S. Gray read b, cablegram received that day stating that every Justice of the Supreme Court, State officials, labour unions, medical associations, and 95 per cent, of the people of Kansas, which had had Prohibition for 38 years, endorsed Prohibition without reservation. The Legislature had ratified national Prohibition unanimously. This message was signed by the Governor of Kansas and other officials and citizens.

Mr. W. D. B. Creagh, of Sydney, referred to some of his experiences as a boxer and as a drinking man, and said he had come to New Zealand to ask the people, in tho name of God, to wipe out the..Trade and so {*ive the Australians, a. good start _in their battle. It was no good telling people to give up the "booze." They could not do it, but the people not tied hand and foot could wipe it out and give these people freedom.